Medical Device with Extendable Shaft

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/862,543, filed on Jul. 12, 2022, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/221,116, filed on Jul. 13, 2021, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Various embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to medical devices for visualization of a target site and delivery of a medical treatment to the target site. Examples of the disclosure relate to a single handle that controls the actuation, rotation, and/or articulation of multiple shafts of the medical device.

In some medical procedures, a physician may not have optimal visualization or stability using current devices. For example, during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures, a physician inserts a first scope to access the target site, and then inserts a second scope to perform cannulation and additional procedures. The operation of two independent scopes creates instability, and requires additional time, user dexterity, and/or multiple users/technicians, for such procedures at the target site.

This disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of these above-referenced challenges or other challenges in the art.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to, among other things, medical devices with an extendable shaft. In embodiments, the medical device allows an operator to control multiple degrees of freedom of both a first shaft and a second shaft of the medical device using one handle. Each of the aspects disclosed herein may include one or more of the features described in connection with any of the other disclosed aspects.

According to certain aspects of the disclosure, a medical device may include a handle including a first actuator and a second actuator; a first shaft extending from a distal end of the handle, the first shaft including (1) a plurality of lumens extending therethrough, (2) a distal face, and (3) a longitudinal axis, wherein actuation of the first actuator articulates a distal portion of the first shaft; and a second shaft extending within a first lumen of the plurality of lumens, the second shaft axially movable relative to the first shaft to extend out of a distal opening of the first lumen and distally of the distal face, wherein actuation of the second actuator articulates a distal portion of the second shaft.

The medical device may include one or more of the following features. The second actuator may include a knob, wherein axial movement of the knob in a first direction extends the second shaft relative to the first shaft; axial movement of the knob in a second direction opposite the first direction retracts the second shaft relative to the first shaft; and rotational movement of the knob rotates the second shaft relative to the first shaft. The medical device may include a distal portion of the second shaft comprising a plurality of slots, wherein, when the distal portion is articulated, a proximal face of a first slot meets a distal face of a second slot. The medical device may also include a spring at a distal portion of the second shaft, wherein a proximal end of the spring is fixed axially relative to the first shaft, and wherein a distal end of the spring is fixed to the distal portion of the second shaft. The spring may provide a compressive force on the distal portion of the second shaft to articulate the second shaft when the second shaft extends from the distal face of the first shaft.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the second actuator may include a button, wherein the button is fixed axially relative to the first actuator, and wherein the button prevents rotational and axial movement of the second shaft relative to the first shaft when the button is depressed, and wherein the button allows rotational and axial movement of the second shaft relative to the first shaft when the button is released.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the first actuator and the second actuator may be axially fixed relative to each other on the handle. The medical may include a first tube fixedly coupled to the handle and extending from the handle away from the first shaft, wherein the first tube contains a plurality of wires related to the functionality of the first shaft, and a second tube moveably coupled to the handle and extending from the handle away from the first shaft, wherein the second tube contains a plurality of wires related to the functionality of the second shaft, such that the second tube may be pushed into the handle causing a distal portion of the second shaft to extend past the distal face of the first shaft, and such that the second tube may be pulled away from the handle causing a distal portion of the second shaft to retract towards the distal face of the first shaft.

The medical device may alternatively include a first tube fixedly coupled to the handle and extending from the handle away from the first shaft, wherein the first tube contains a plurality of wires related to the functionality of the first shaft, and a second tube moveably coupled to the handle and extending from the handle away from the first shaft, wherein the second tube contains a plurality of wires related to the functionality of the second shaft, such that the second tube may be pushed into the handle causing a distal portion of the second shaft to extend past the distal face of the first shaft, and such that the second tube may be pulled away from the handle causing a distal portion of the second shaft to retract towards the distal face of the first shaft. Additionally, a proximal portion of the second shaft may be configured in a loop, the proximal portion positioned within the handle, and wherein, when the second shaft is extended past the distal face of the first shaft, a diameter of the loop decreases relative to a diameter of the loop when the shaft is retracted into the first shaft.

The handle of the medical device may include at least one port coupled to a proximal portion of a lumen of the first shaft. The handle may also comprise a second port coupled to a proximal portion of a lumen of the second shaft.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the first shaft may include a camera at the distal face of the first shaft. The distal face of the first shaft may include one or more illumination features. Alternatively or additionally, the second shaft may include a camera at a distal face of the second shaft.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a medical device may include a handle including a first actuator and a second actuator; a first shaft extending from a distal end of the handle, the first shaft including (1) a plurality of lumens extending therethrough and (2) a distal face, wherein actuation of the first actuator articulates a distal portion of the first shaft; and a second shaft having a longitudinal axis and extending within a first lumen of the plurality of lumens, the second shaft (1) axially movable relative to the first shaft to extend out of a distal opening of the first lumen and distally of the distal face and (2) rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the first shaft, wherein actuation of the second actuator selectively articulates a distal portion of the second shaft and rotates the second shaft relative to the first shaft; and wherein axial movement of the second actuator in a first direction may extend the second shaft relative to the first shaft, axial movement of the second actuator in a second direction opposite the first direction retracts the second shaft relative to the first shaft, and rotational movement of the second actuator may rotate the second shaft relative to the first shaft. The medical device may further include a spring at a distal portion of the second shaft providing a compressive force on the distal portion of the second shaft, wherein a proximal end of the spring may be fixed axially relative to the first shaft, and wherein a distal end of the spring may be fixed to the distal portion of the second shaft. The first shaft of this medical device may include a camera at the distal face of the first shaft, and the second shaft may include a camera at a distal face of the second shaft.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a medical device may include a handle including a first actuator and a second actuator, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are axially fixed relative to each other. A first shaft may extend from a distal end of the handle, and the first shaft may include (1) a plurality of lumens extending therethrough, (2) a distal face, and (3) a longitudinal axis, wherein actuation of the first actuator may articulate a distal portion of the first shaft. The device may further include a second shaft extending within a first lumen of the plurality of lumens. The second shaft may be axially movable relative to the first shaft to extend out of a distal opening of the first lumen and distally of the distal face. Actuation of the second actuator may articulate a distal portion of the second shaft. A first camera may be fixedly coupled to a distal face of the second shaft. Additionally, the second shaft may be extended by pushing a tube into the handle, causing a distal portion of the second shaft to extend past the distal face of the first shaft, wherein the tube contains a plurality of wires related to the functionality of at least the second shaft.

Additional objects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosed embodiments. The objects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims

It may be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure, as claimed.

Aspects of the disclosure include devices and methods to enable increased visualization via the extension and articulation of a medical device (e.g., an endoscope) camera. In embodiments, the handle is configured so that a user may control the rotation, articulation, extension, and/or retraction of an endoscope camera by means of one or more actuators within the handle.

The medical device may be introduced into a body cavity or lumen, for example the GI tract, via a natural orifice. The orifice can be, for example, the nose, mouth, or anus, and the placement can be in any portion of the GI tract, including the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, large intestine, or small intestine. Delivery and placement also can be in other body lumens or organs reachable via the GI tract, a natural opening or other body tract, or a bodily incision.

Reference will now be made in detail to aspects of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numbers will be used through the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. The term “distal” refers to a portion farthest away from a user when introducing a device into a patient. By contrast, the term “proximal” refers to a portion closest to the user when placing the device into the subject. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not necessarily include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. The term “exemplary” is used in the sense of “example,” rather than “ideal.” As used herein, the terms “about,” “substantially,” and “approximately,” indicate a range of values within +/−10% of a stated value.

Examples of the disclosure relate to devices and methods for performing various medical procedures and/or treating portions of the large intestine (colon), small intestine, cecum, esophagus, any other portion of the gastrointestinal tract, and/or any other suitable patient anatomy (collectively referred to herein as a “target treatment site”). Various examples described herein include single-use or disposable medical devices. Reference will now be made in detail to examples of the disclosure described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

is a general depiction of medical devicein accordance with examples of this disclosure. Medical deviceincludes a proximal endand a distal end. A handle, including one or more actuators,,, and, is at or adjacent to proximal end. The handleincludes a handle shellhousing internal components of handle. A strain reliefextends perpendicularly from handlerelative to a central axis that extends from the proximal endof deviceto distal end. A proximal end of a lumenextends from a distal end of strain reliefand may be connected to a processing unit (not pictured) on the distal-most end of lumen. A shaftof deviceextends from a distal end of handleto the distal endof device. Distal endincludes a distal articulable sectionof shaft, to be described further therein.

Medical devicemay include a portlocated at or adjacent to the proximal end of a lumen (e.g. working channel) (not pictured) that extends from the proximal end of shaftto the distal end of shaft. Any diagnostic or therapeutic instrument or tool may be inserted into portand extended through the working channel and out of the distal end of shaft. Exemplary instruments and tools include, but are not limited to, a tissue grasper, a knife, biopsy forceps, scissors, a retrieval device (such as a net or a basket), an electrocautery tool, etc. Any structures of the medical devices described herein can be made of biocompatible materials, including biocompatible polymers, rubbers, plastics, and the like.

Still referring to, actuators,,, andcontrol various functions at distal end. Articulation may be in two planes, such as up-down and left-right. These actuators may include knobs, triggers, buttons, switches, pneumatic controls, or other actuators known in the art and any combination thereof. For example, actuators,may control the articulation (bending) of distal endof medical device, via a connection between actuators,and distal end, such as pulls wires. Additionally, actuatormay control the extension and rotation of a second shaft (not shown) relative to shaft; and actuatormay control a braking mechanism of the second shaft (not shown) relative to shaft. The actuation of a distal end of an internal shaft (shown inas internal shaft) may be controlled by actuators,via a connection between actuators,and the distal end of the internal shaft. Articulation may be in two planes, such as up-down and left-right.

Shaftof medical devicemay be introduced into the body via an incision or natural orifice (i.e. mouth, anus). Shaftmay be a tube having sufficient length to access sites within the body. Additionally, shaftmay have sufficient flexibility to traverse tortuous anatomy. Shaftcan be made of flexible materials, rigid materials, or any combination thereof.

Distal endis at or adjacent to the distal end of shaft. Distal endincludes a distal articulable sectionof shaft(e.g. an articulation joint). As mentioned above, and as will be described in further detail below, various handle actuators (e.g. actuators,,,) and related mechanisms can control the articulation of articulation sectionand the rotation, articulation, and extension/retraction of an internal shaft (such as shaft), to be described further herein. A connection between the actuators and the distal components, such as one or more elongate members (e.g. wires, cables, etc.) (not pictured), including any connection commonly known in the art, transmit the action of the actuators to the respective functionality at the distal end.

show an exemplary subassemblyin a retracted configuration () and in an extended, articulated configuration (). Subassemblymay control the rotation, articulation, retraction, and extension of an second, internal shaftwithin medical device. Subassemblyis comprised of actuators,, internal shaft, spring, and jointhaving slots. Internal shaftmay be coupled to actuatorsuch that, when actuatoris rotated or pushed/pulled along a center axis that extends from the proximal end of internal shaftto the distal end of internal shaft, internal shaftrotates and translates accordingly. Actuatorcan be a knob, slider, or any other type of suitable actuator. Actuatoris at least partially housed within handle shell, and is exposed via a slotin handle shell. Actuatortranslates and rotates within slot.

Actuatoris spaced distally from actuatorsuch that, when actuatoris pushed distally along the axis relative to internal shaft, actuatormay approach or touch a proximal end of actuator. Additionally, internal shaftextends through actuator. Actuatormay be a braking mechanism for internal shaft. A user applying a pressure to the actuator may actuate actuator. The application of pressure to actuatormay lock the internal shaftin place, preventing the internal shaftfrom rotating, extending, and/or retracting relative to shaft. In an alternative embodiment, actuatormay be spring loaded such that the position of the internal shaftis in the locked position until actuatoris pressed to release the internal shaft.

Internal shaftmay be a tube having sufficient length to extend past the distal end of deviceto access sites within the body. Further, internal shaftmay have sufficient flexibility to traverse tortuous anatomy. Internal shaftcan be made of flexible materials, rigid materials, or any combination thereof. Internal shaftmay also include a tube through which additional tubes and/or cables may extend. Internal shaftmay be comprised of one or more camera cables, leading to a camera/imaging device at a distal end of internal shaft.

Still referring to, springsurrounds a portion of a distal end of internal shaft, including joint. Springmay provide support for jointin an articulated state by applying a compressive force on the internal shaft. A proximal end of springmay be fixedly coupled to a walldefining a lumen of shaft, the lumen defining a channel for shaftto translate and rotate within. A distal end of springmay be fixedly coupled to a distal end of joint. These connections (springto walland to joint) may be accomplished using adhesives, ultrasonic welding, a mechanical fit, or other means known in the art.

Jointis at or adjacent to the distal most end of internal shaft. Jointincludes a plurality of slotsto enable articulation of the distal end of internal shaftin at least one direction. The plurality of slotsmay be triangular or otherwise shaped to permit articulation of the distal end in at least one direction. Specifically, when the distal portion is articulated, a proximal face of a first slot meets a distal face of a second slot. The slots may be laser cut or otherwise machined into joint. Alternatively, jointmay be comprised of a plurality of individual links (not shown) configured to permit articulation of the distal end of shaftin at least one direction. The amount of articulation of the internal shaftmay be controlled by the shape or geometry of the slotsor of the individual links. For example, a slot shaped as an acute triangle could enable a smaller amount of articulation per slot than a slot shaped as an obtuse angle. Further, the number of slotsmay dictate the amount of articulation achieved. For example, more articulation may be achieved by increasing the number of slots, and less articulation may be achieved by decreasing the number of slots.

depicts the internal shaftof subassemblyin the extended, articulated state. In this configuration, actuatoris pushed distally along the longitudinal axis of internal shaft, towards actuator. Internal shaftextends through actuatorand wall. Because a proximal end of springis coupled to wall, and the distal end of spring is coupled to the distal-most end of internal shaft, the compressive force exerted on internal shaftby springin the extended state pulls the walls of slotstowards each other, thereby articulating joint. In, jointis bent so that a distal face of shaftfaces approximately 90 degrees from an axis of the main portion of shaft, so that a camera on the distal face faces to the side of device.

shows an exemplary end view of distal endof shaft, shown in. Distal endmay be comprised of a plurality of lumens,,,,,,, leading to openings at the distal face of shaft. Each of the plurality of lumens may have a circular cross-sectional shape or may be defined by any other shape commonly known in the art. Further, any combination of shapes is permitted. For example, lumenmay be circular, and lumenmay be ovular. Lumenmay define a suction or insufflation channel, for providing suction or insufflation at the treatment site. Lumenmay define the working channel extending from port, through which a tool or instrument may be inserted. Lumenmay define a water-jet channel for providing irrigation at then treatment site. Lumenmay define a lens wash channel for providing water, saline, or the like to wash lenses of a camera assembly. Lumenmay define the camera channel, for receiving shaft. Lumensandmay define light source channels, for components to provide light to the treatment site. Alternatively or additionally, lights may be provided on and/or within shaft, so that light is directed to the treatment site from which an image is taken. The function of each of the lumens shown inis not limited to those described, however. For example, lumenmay define a light source lumen; lumenmay define a camera lumen, and so forth, and/or the lumens may provide for other functionality not described herein. The proximal end of the plurality of lumens,,,,,,may be coupled to individual tubes (not shown) that extend through shaftto handleof. Alternatively, the plurality of lumens,,,,,,may define a single flexible extrusion that extends from the distal end of handleto distal end. Further, the orientation and quantity of lumens is not limited. Specifically, lumens,,,,,,may be oriented in any manner, and there may be fewer or more lumens, as desired.

Aspects of the disclosure include methods of using device. To do so, the user may first introduce the distal endof deviceinto a GI tract via a natural orifice. The orifice can be, for example, the nose, mouth, or anus, and the placement can be in any portion of the GI tract, including the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, large intestine, or small intestine. Delivery and placement also can be in other body lumens or organs reachable via the GI tract, any other natural opening or body tract, bodily incision, or through a delivery device, such as an endoscope or sheath. Once the desired site is accessed, the user can actuate one or more actuators, including knobs,, to control the articulation of the distal end. Further, a user may actuate actuatorto rotate, extend, and/or retract shaftof device. Actuatormay be used to stop shaftor otherwise hold shaftin a desired orientation/position.

shows an exemplary embodiment of medical device. Deviceincludes a proximal endand a distal end. A handle, including one or more actuators,, is at or adjacent to proximal end. Actuators,may control articulation of the distal endof medical device, via a connection between actuators,and distal end, such as pulls wires. Articulation may be in two planes, such as up-down and left-right. Handlefurther comprises one or more actuators,, which may control the articulation of the distal end of an internal shaft, to be described further herein. Like actuators,, actuators,may control articulation of the distal end of shaft, via a connection between actuators,and the distal end of shaft, such as pulls wires. Articulation may be in two planes, such as up-down and left-right. Actuators,are positioned on handledistally relative to actuators,. Actuators,may be positioned on the same side of handle(e.g. on the right-hand side of the handle during use), or may be on opposite sides of handle. The shape of handleis defined by a handle shell.

Still referring to, a tubemay extend perpendicularly from at or near the proximal endof devicerelative to a central axis that extends from the proximal endof deviceto distal end. A proximal end of tubemay be coupled to handle, and a distal end of tubemay be connected to capital equipment such as a processor, pump, and/or other equipment commonly used in the art (not shown). Further, tubemay be comprised of multiple tubes (not shown) to enable irrigation and/or insufflation at the distal end.

Shaftmay extend through a lumen of shaft, into a distal end of handle, out of a portproximate a distal end of the handle, away from handle, and connect to capital equipment such as a processor, pump, and/or other equipment commonly used in the art (not pictured). Shaftmay be configured such that a user may push or pull shaftinto or out of handle, respectively. Consequently, as a proximal portion of shaftis pushed into handle, shaftmay extend past distal end, out of an opening at the distal face of shaft. As shaftis pulled from handle, shaftmay retract into distal end.

A distal portion of shaftmay include an articulation joint or an otherwise sufficiently flexible portion to permit articulation of the distal portion of shaft. The portion of shaftis connected to actuators,, so that rotation of actuators bends the distal portion in one or more planes (e.g. left-right and up-down). Similar to shaft, shaftmay be further comprised of one or more tubes and/or wires (not shown) to enable articulation, visualization, irrigation, and/or insufflation at distal end.

Handlemay also include one or more ports,, through which one or more accessory devices (not pictured) may be inserted. These accessory devices may include any of the instruments or tools described herein, including, as examples, guidewires, nets, baskets, cautery devices, etc. A proximal end of a lumen (e.g. working channel) (not pictured) may be attached to the distal end of the port,, and a distal end of a lumen may be attached to the distal endof medical device. In embodiments, one or both of ports,may be omitted from device.

Shaftof medical devicemay be a tube having sufficient length to access sites within the body. Additionally, shaftmay have sufficient flexibility to traverse tortuous anatomy. Shaftcan be made of flexible materials, rigid materials, or any combination thereof.

Aspects of the disclosure include methods of using device. To do so, the user may first introduce the distal endof deviceinto a GI tract via a natural orifice. The orifice can be, for example, the nose, mouth, or anus, and the placement can be in any portion of the GI tract, including the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, large intestine, or small intestine. Delivery and placement also can be in other body lumens or organs reachable via the GI tract, any other natural opening or body tract, bodily incision, or through a delivery device, such as an endoscope or sheath. Once the desired site is accessed, the user can actuate one or more actuators, including knobs,, to control the articulation of the distal end. Further, a user may push shaftinto handleto extend shaftpast the distal face of shaft. Conversely, a user may pull shaftaway from handleto retract shaftinto shaft. One or more actuators, including actuators,, as described above, may control the distal end of shaft.

depicts an alternate embodiment of a medical device. Similar to, deviceincludes a proximal endand a distal end. A handle, including one or more actuators,, is at or adjacent to proximal end. Actuators,may control the distal endof medical device, like actuators,control the distal endof medical device. Handlefurther comprises one or more actuators,, which may control the articulation of the distal end of an internal shaft. Actuators,are positioned on handledistally relative to actuators,. Actuators,may be positioned on the same side of handle(e.g. on the right-hand side of the handle during use), or may be on opposite sides of handle. The shape of handleis defined by a handle shell.

A distal portion of shaftmay include an articulation joint or an otherwise sufficiently flexible portion to permit articulation of the distal portion of shaft. That distal portion of shaftis connected to actuators,, so that rotation of actuators bends the distal portion in one or more planes (e.g. left-right and up-down). Similar to how shaftmay be coupled to actuators,to enable articulation of the distal end of shaft, shaftmay be coupled to actuators,to enable articulation of the distal end of shaft. However, internal cabling, such as a camera cable, an irrigation tube, and/or an insufflation tube, may extend through a tube, to be described in further detail below.

Shaftof medical devicemay be a tube having sufficient length to access sites within the body. Additionally, shaftmay have sufficient flexibility to traverse tortuous anatomy. Shaftcan be made of flexible materials, rigid materials, or any combination thereof.

Still referring to, a tubemay extend perpendicularly (or approximately perpendicular) from at or near the proximal endof devicerelative to a central axis that extends from the proximal endof deviceto distal end. A distal end of tube(not pictured) may be connected to capital equipment such as a processor, pump, and/or other equipment commonly used in the art (not shown). Further, tubemay be comprised of multiple tubes (not shown) to enable irrigation and/or insufflation at the distal endof shaft. Tubealso may include a proximal portion of internal shaftand/or a proximal portion of an internal camera cable (not pictured) of internal shaft. To extend internal shaftfrom the distal endof medical device, a user may actuate an actuatorof handle. Actuatormay be comprised of a mechanism similar to the subassemblyof, described previously. Alternatively, actuatormay be a knob, button, or any like actuator.

In an extended state of one embodiment, the actuation subassembly within sectionmay be arranged such that a looped configurationof the proximal portion of shaftmay decrease when actuatoris actuated, as shown in sectionof. That proximal portion of shaft, having the looped configuration, is housed within handle shell. Conversely, to retract internal shaftfrom the distal endof medical device, a user may de-actuate actuatorsuch that the looped configurationof the proximal portion of the shaft may increase, as shown in sectionof. The actuation and the de-actuation of actuatormay extend or retract a distal end of internal shaftrelative to distal end.

Referring again to, like ports,, handlemay also include one or more ports,, through which one or more accessory devices (not pictured) may be inserted.

Aspects of the disclosure include methods of using device. To do so, the user may first introduce the distal endof deviceinto a GI tract via a natural orifice. The orifice can be, for example, the nose, mouth, or anus, and the placement can be in any portion of the GI tract, including the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, large intestine, or small intestine. Delivery and placement also can be in other body lumens or organs reachable via the GI tract, any other natural opening or body tract, bodily incision, or through a delivery device, such as an endoscope or sheath. Once the desired site is accessed, the user can actuate one or more actuators, including knobs,, to control the articulation of the distal end. Further, a user may actuate actuatorof handleto extend internal shaftpast the distal face of shaft. Conversely, a user may de-actuate actuatorof handleto retract internal shaftinto shaft. One or more actuators, including actuators,, as described above, may control the distal end of the internal shaft.

Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Accordingly, various aspects discussed herein may help to improve the efficacy of treatment, for example, a procedure to treat a treatment site. Various aspects discussed herein may help to reduce and/or minimize the duration of the procedure, may reduce the risks of inadvertent manipulation by the user, and/or may help reduce risks of inadvertent contact with tissue or other material during delivery, repositioning, or usage of a medical device in the procedure.

While principles of this disclosure are described herein with reference to illustrative aspects for various applications, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, aspects, and substitution of equivalents all fall within the scope of the aspects described herein. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description.